Authorities said earlier they believe Julian Hicks, age 38, shot his 37-year-old wife Trenia and stepfather Nathan "Yank" Schmeck, 77, before turning the gun on himself at their 2007 First Ave. home.
Bodies of the three were taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Atlanta, for autopsies to be performed.
Investigators said they will use the results in trying to determine the sequence of events as well as what sparked the early morning shooting. They have not yet reported what type gun was used, where the victims where found in the house or even how many shots were fired.
Rockmart police were called to the house Wednesday morning by Mildred Hicks, who is also Schmeck's common-law wife and mother of Julian Hicks. Ms. Hicks was at home at the time of the shootings.
Special agent Jerry Scott, assistant GBI agent in charge and a former crime scene investigator, said the murder investigation will be slow and detailed.
Although investigators have characterized the crime as an apparent homicide-suicide, Scott said, "you have to handle this type of case just like any other homicide."
He said recreating the scene may be "easier in a case like this because we had some witness information."
The mother's recollection as well as statements from neighbors and other people who lived in the house could make solving the case a little easier, he said.
If there was no witness it would be of course more difficult," Scott said.
Authorities said family members are caring for Ms. Hicks and her two grandchildren, Maurice and Lee, who also lived in the First Avenue home but who were at school during the shooting.
Schmeck is a former Rockmart city councilman.
Neighbors reported hearing loud, sometimes violent arguments at the home involving Julian and Trenia Hicks.
The shootings reportedly occurred after Trenia Hicks dropped her two children off at schools and returned to the home
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